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Neil Carpathios

Contributing Columnist

Who was Abraham Lincoln’s favorite poet? Which poet was American music legend Bob Dylan’s greatest creative inspiration? Which poet wrote the now famous song we sing at New Year’s, “Auld Lang Syne?”

If you guessed Robert Burns, you would be correct.

Robert Burns is by far the most celebrated poet of Scotland. Born on Jan. 25, 1759, he is known for his poems and songs that captured the spirit of ordinary, hard-working people. He wanted his creations to be easily enjoyed without the need for intense academic analysis. He himself was a farmer, so he knew about sweat and honest toil. He also was an outspoken fighter for the freedom of Scotland and its independence from English rule. He loved to eat and drink, and maybe more than anything else, he loved women.

Today, the poems of Robert Burns are still cherished. Maybe his greatest contribution to poetry, in terms of craft, was his use of genuine Scottish dialect. He wanted his poems to sound the way his people spoke. In the following famous poem, we can see this clearly:

A Red, Red Rose

Oh my luve is like a red, red rose,

That’s newly sprung in June:

Oh my luve is like the melodie,

That’s sweetly play’d in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonie lass,

So deep in luve am I;

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

Till a’the seas gang dry.

Till a’the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt wi ’the sun;

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

While the sands o’life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only luve!

And fare thee weel a while!

And I will come again, my luve,

Tho’ it were ten thousand mile!

Every year, around the world, people celebrate this great poet’s birthday by having traditional Burns Suppers. These are events where Scottish delicacies are served, bagpipes are played, poems recited, and stories are told about the poet’s colorful life. The exciting news is that Port City Café and Pub will be hosting Portsmouth’s second official Burns Supper. The supper will take place Jan. 25, with five-star quality food and drink, as well as live music and poetry. It will be a festive and fun night. All proceeds will once again, so generously, go to the Shawnee State University creative writing program. For tickets and more information, contact John and Barb Hogan at Port City 740-355-9015.

Address correspondence and poem submissions to: ncarpathios@shawnee.edu or Neil Carpathios, Shawnee State University, Dept. of English & Humanities, 940 Second Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662. (740-351-3478).